tracked leader in mid-division when fell 3rd
rear of mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden along in 7th after 3 out, no headway in straight
tracked leader in 2nd, led before 5th, challenged on run to 2 out, headed 2 out, dropped to 4th at last, no extra
towards rear, 8th halfway, driven in 6th before 2 out, no impression
rear, 7th halfway,ridden along after 3 out, no extra
towards rear, hampered by faller at 3rd, last halfway, ridden after 3 out, weakened
in rear, slightly impeded by faller at 3rd, 9th halfway, ridden after 3 out, never a factor
held up early, 5th halfway, 4th 3 out, ridden before 2 out, stayed on into 3rd before last, kept on one pace
led, headed before 5th, 3rd at 8th, closer in 3rd on inner 2 out, ridden to press leader at last, kept on same pace
tracked leader in 3rd, 4th halfway, under pressure in 5th approaching straight, kept on to take 4th close home
chased leader in 4th, 3rd halfway, progress into 2nd at 8th, challenged leader on run to 2 out, led 2 out, strongly pressed at last, ridden and stayed on well
This rarely provides much of a guide to the main event at Galway but carries a decent prize in its own right. Slieveardagh won last year and is only 1lb higher though he's failed to build on that success. Runner-up Ballyfin Boy did manage to go one better at the Festival though not in the big event and he's on a 10lb higher mark. Big Generator is gradually improving and isn't badly treated despite a 7lb rise while Shake The Bucket overcame a last-fence error to score at Wexford and has since run well on the Flat. The versatile Plan A has still to win over fences and could have done without a 5lb rise for finishing runner-up at Down Royal though this can go to a rejuvenated ON THE WAY OUT, who turned the clock back with a superb run to foil the hat-trick bid of Rohan's Pride at Limerick.
Slieveardagh (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Soon mid-division, 6th at 3rd, closer in 5th approaching 3 out, no impression and kept on same pace from next, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Fisher Bridge (10-11) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp chs gf in Jun.
Plan A (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Keen hold, soon tracked leaders, travelling well and on terms before 2 out, soon led, kept on well run-in, caught near line, 2nd of 14, hd behind Blue Cannon (11-6) at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chase gf in Jun '13.
Rohan's Pride (IRE) 3-1fav (11-10) Took keen hold, soon led, joined 4th, soon headed, 3rd from 3 out, led again approaching straight, headed 2 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 7l behind On The Way Out (11-1) at Limerick 2m 6f hcp chs gf.
On The Way Out (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, 7th from 3 out, closed up travelling smoothly approaching straight, led 2 out, soon clear, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Limerick 2m 6f hcp chs gf beating Rohan's Pride (11-10) by 7l, 11 ran.
Fantastic Gold 13-2 (10-10) Settled 3rd early, closer in 3rd approaching 2 out, on terms 2 out, ridden in 3rd on outer in straight, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 5l behind Queen Alphabet (11-1) at Sligo 2m mrs nov hdl gf.
Ballyfinboy (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) In rear, pushed along 5th, never a factor, tailed off,, 10th of 11, well behind Fisher Bridge (10-11) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp chs gf in Jun.
Knocklong (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Rear of mid-division when bad mistake and rider lost iron briefly 2nd, dropped to rear and mistakes after, some progress into 8th when bad mistake 3 out, no impression, 7th of 14, 12l behind Notimetoserve (9-13) at Tramore 2m 6f cond hcap ch in Apr.
Shake The Bucket (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, progress to go 3rd before 2 out, led approaching last where pecked, kept on run-in, won at Wexford 2m 3f beg chase gf in Jun beating Silver Chief (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.
Big Generator 2-1fav (10-9) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 5th, progress to lead 2 out, ridden approaching last and kept on well run-in, won at Wexford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-123 gf in Jun beating Annie Other (11-7) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Sugar Bullet (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Held up, slightly slow 4th and in rear, reminders from 6th, improved to be close up 9th, 5th from 3 out, weakened from before straight, soon eased, 7th of 11, 26l behind On The Way Out (11-1) at Limerick 2m 6f hcp chs gf.
Westhaven (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Towards rear, some headway 7 out, moderate 10th approaching straight, ridden to chase leaders and no impression from before last, kept on without threatening run-in, 4th of 22, 5l behind Close Review (10-4) at Punchestown 2m 6f hcp chs in Jun.
